Filming an emotionally demanding biographical drama is rarely easy, but according to Tom Hiddleston, the set of I Saw the Light came with an unexpected twist—one that smelled unmistakably like strawberries. In a recent lighthearted recollection, Hiddleston revealed a behind-the-scenes secret about his co-star Elizabeth Olsen that nearly caused him to break character during some of the film’s most heartbreaking scenes.
The 2015 biographical drama I Saw the Light chronicles the turbulent life of legendary country singer Hank Williams. Hiddleston portrayed Williams with raw intensity, while Olsen played his first wife, Audrey Williams—a role filled with emotional confrontations, sorrow, and marital collapse. Yet behind the grim realism, something far more whimsical was happening.
According to Hiddleston, Olsen possesses a rare and baffling ability: she can convincingly sob her way through a devastating scene while secretly chewing gum or snacking on gummy candy. “Elizabeth has this strange superpower,” he joked, describing how she would be completely immersed in grief, tears streaming down her face, all while subtly moving her jaw. The effect, he admitted, was deeply confusing for anyone acting opposite her.
The habit went beyond casual gum-chewing. Hiddleston revealed that Olsen had an entire system for hiding snacks on set. Gummy candies and chewing gum were reportedly tucked into the folds of her period costumes, hidden beneath heavy wooden tables, or concealed in the palm of her hand as she wiped away tears. It was method acting meets culinary stealth.
The moment that nearly derailed Hiddleston entirely came during an especially emotional scene. As Audrey Williams reached her lowest point, Hiddleston suddenly noticed the unmistakable scent of strawberries drifting through the air. The contrast between Olsen’s devastating performance and the cheerful aroma almost caused him to burst into laughter mid-take. “I was standing there, completely heartbroken in the scene,” he recalled, “and suddenly I’m thinking—why does grief smell like candy?”
Rather than detracting from Olsen’s performance, the story only highlights her professionalism. Directed by Marc Abraham, I Saw the Light demanded relentless emotional focus from its cast. For Olsen, these small comforts may have been a coping mechanism—a quiet way to manage the strain of portraying a deeply tragic life.
The playful dynamic between the two actors later delighted fans when both joined the Marvel world, with Olsen starring in WandaVision and Hiddleston becoming synonymous with Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While their characters never truly collided on screen, their off-screen friendship—sealed by strawberry-scented tears—remains one of Hollywood’s most charming anecdotes.
As Hiddleston’s affectionate “exposé” makes clear, Elizabeth Olsen may be the only actress capable of breaking hearts while quietly chewing strawberry gum. And perhaps that’s the real secret to surviving Hollywood’s most emotionally exhausting roles.